Netizens are incredibly creative to overcome the number 1 weakness of Mac Mini

Apple's new Mac Mini with M4 chip will officially hit shelves on November 8. Although this device is causing a stir because of its "surprisingly cheap" price and impressive power, there is an intentional design of Apple that makes many users uncomfortable: the power button is located at the bottom of the device.

The new Mac Mini comes with three Thunderbolt 4 or Thunderbolt 5 USB-C ports (the latter is limited to the M4 Pro model), an HDMI port, and a power port. The power button is located on the bottom of the device, next to the raised section that houses the fan’s intake and exhaust vents.

Apple's Mac Mini computer has its power button located on the bottom.

While the button isn’t hard to press, especially considering the device only weighs about 1.5 pounds, it’s certainly not convenient or optimal. To turn it on, you have to flip it over or reach underneath with your finger. Apple expects you to put the device to sleep most of the time, so you won’t need to use the power button very often. Still, some users online are so frustrated with the design that they’ve created their own 3D models to work around it.

One of the most notable ideas comes from Ivan Kulashov, a self-described “hardware hacker.” On Twitter, Kulashov introduced the iFixTheButton, a simple 3D-printed design with a single hinge that acts as a toggle switch for the power button. He said he mocked up the iFixTheButton based on Apple’s published dimensions, then 3D-modeled it and was convinced it would work. He also shared a link so people could download and print the prototype.

3D button design to turn on Mac Mini.

While this design seems simple and effective, there’s another one by Kulashov that’s even better. It’s a mockup of a circular pad that the Mac Mini would sit on. The idea is that users would press the Mac Mini down into soft pads. When pressed, a knob that protrudes from the edge of the pad would hit the power button to turn the device on.

With this rubber cushion design, just press the top of the device, the bump will automatically press the power button for the user.

Japanese Twitter user @shapoco created a lever-style power switch with two hinges. The device sits on the Mac Mini and when the lever is pressed down, it presses the power button. On his account, @shapoco shared that he “just wanted to make pressing the power button easier” and did not mean to criticize Apple’s design decision.

Several other 3D printed designs are also being shared. One of them is by user danielha2058. This design consists of a column with a button on top. When pressed, it activates a switch below with enough force to turn the Mac Mini on or off.

Since the Mac Mini isn't on sale yet, it's hard to know whether any of these designs will work as intended, but what's exciting to the internet is that the creators have found a way to solve a problem that a billion-dollar company can create.

Quartz

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